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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS  
Schedule of changes in benefit obligations and plan assets and disclosure of funded status and accumulated benefit obligation of nonunion defined benefit plans

The following table discloses the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets of the Company’s nonunion defined benefit plans for years ended December 31, the measurement date of the plans:

 

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Change in benefit obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

 

$

211,660

 

$

260,950

 

$

7,092

 

$

7,213

 

$

16,318

 

$

18,308

 

Service cost

 

 

4,734

 

 

 

280

 

331

 

Interest cost

 

6,039

 

7,784

 

184

 

150

 

788

 

751

 

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

11,906

 

(10,797

)

53

 

(271

)

5,269

 

(2,484

)

Benefits paid

 

(58,047

)

(22,486

)

(853

)

 

(539

)

(588

)

Curtailment gain

 

 

(29,262

)

 

 

 

 

Settlement loss

 

2,852

 

737

 

306

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligations at end of year

 

174,410

 

211,660

 

6,782

 

7,092

 

22,116

 

16,318

 

Change in plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

207,613

 

181,225

 

 

 

 

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

8,599

 

31,074

 

 

 

 

 

Employer contributions

 

100

 

17,800

 

853

 

 

539

 

588

 

Benefits paid

 

(58,047

)

(22,486

)

(853

)

 

(539

)

(588

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

158,265

 

207,613

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status

 

$

(16,145

)

$

(4,047

)

$

(6,782

)

$

(7,092

)

$

(22,116

)

$

(16,318

)

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

$

174,410

 

$

211,660

 

$

6,782

 

$

7,092

 

$

22,116

 

$

16,318

 

 

Schedule of amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to nonunion defined benefit plans

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Current liabilities (included in accrued expenses)

 

$

 

$

 

$

(1,941

)

$

 

$

(684

)

$

(610

)

Noncurrent liabilities (included in pension and postretirement liabilities)

 

(16,145

)

(4,047

)

(4,841

)

(7,092

)

(21,432

)

(15,708

)

Liabilities recognized

 

$

(16,145

)

$

(4,047

)

$

(6,782

)

$

(7,092

)

$

(22,116

)

$

(16,318

)

 

Summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost

The following is a summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s nonunion benefit plans for the years ended December 31:

 

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

4,734

 

$

9,189

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

280

 

$

331

 

$

315

 

Interest cost

 

6,039

 

7,784

 

8,692

 

184

 

150

 

210

 

788

 

751

 

749

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(10,419

)

(13,313

)

(12,063

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(190

)

(190

)

(190

)

Pension settlement expense

 

5,880

 

2,111

 

 

715

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss (1)

 

2,398

 

7,140

 

10,767

 

214

 

260

 

202

 

93

 

535

 

416

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

3,898

 

$

8,456

 

$

16,585

 

$

1,113

 

$

410

 

$

412

 

$

971

 

$

1,427

 

$

1,290

 

 

(1)

The Company amortizes actuarial losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and does not use a corridor approach.

 

Summary of pension settlement distributions and settlement expense

The following is a summary of the pension settlement distributions and pension settlement expense for the years ended December 31:

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014(1)

 

2013(2)

 

2012

 

2014(3)

 

2013

 

2012(4)

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

Pension settlement distributions

 

$

57,518 

 

$

20,104 

 

$

 

$

853 

 

$

 

$

1,126 

 

Pension settlement expense, pre-tax

 

$

5,880 

 

$

2,111 

 

$

 

$

715 

 

$

 

$

 

Pension settlement expense per diluted share, net of taxes

 

$

0.14 

 

$

0.05 

 

$

 

$

0.02 

 

$

 

$

 

 

(1)

Pension settlement distributions represent $32.1 million of lump-sum benefit distributions and a $25.4 million nonparticipating annuity contract purchase.

(2)

Pension settlement distributions represent lump-sum benefit distributions paid in 2013.

(3)

Pension settlement expense relates to the SBP benefit for an officer retirement that occurred in 2014. The benefit distribution amount was fixed at the retirement date, but a portion of the benefit will be paid in 2015, because IRC Section 409A which requires that certain distributions to certain key employees under the SBP be delayed for six months after retirement.

(4)

The 2012 SBP distribution represents the portion of a benefit related to an officer retirement that occurred in 2011 which was delayed for six months after retirement in accordance with IRC Section 409A. The pension settlement expense related to this distribution was recognized in 2011.

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31 were the following pre-tax amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

 

$

24,303

 

$

16,003

 

$

1,207

 

$

1,778

 

$

5,327

 

$

150

 

Unrecognized prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

(697

)

(887

)

Total

 

$

24,303

 

$

16,003

 

$

1,207

 

$

1,778

 

$

4,630

 

$

(737

)

 

Pre-tax amounts, which are reported within accumulated other comprehensive loss, expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the next fiscal year

The following amounts, which are reported within accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014, are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2015 on a pre-tax basis. (Amounts exclude the effect of pension settlements which the Company will incur for the nonunion defined benefit pension plan in 2015.)

 

 

 

Nonunion

 

 

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Defined Benefit

 

Supplemental

 

Health

 

 

 

Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

 

$

3,008

 

$

159

 

$

622

 

Unrecognized prior service credit

 

 

 

(190

)

Total

 

$

3,008

 

$

159

 

$

432

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost for nonunion defined benefit plans

The discount rate is determined by matching projected cash distributions with appropriate high-quality corporate bond yields in a yield curve analysis. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine nonunion benefit obligations at December 31 were as follows:

 

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Discount rate

 

3.2 

%

3.8 

%

2.5 

%

2.8 

%

3.9 

%

4.7 

%

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s nonunion benefit plans for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

 

 

Nonunion Defined

 

Supplemental

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Benefit Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Health Benefit Plan

 

 

 

2014(1)

 

2013(2)

 

2012

 

2014(3)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Discount rate

 

3.8 

%

3.1 

%

3.7 

%

2.8 

%

2.1 

%

3.2 

%

4.7 

%

3.8 

%

4.3 

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

6.5 

%

7.5 

%

7.5 

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Rate of compensation increase (4)

 

N/A

 

3.3 

%

3.3 

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

(1)

The discount rate presented was used to determine the first quarter 2014 credit and the interim discount rates established upon each quarterly settlement in 2014 at a rate of 3.5%, 3.3%, and 3.4% was used to calculate the credit for the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2014, respectively.

(2)

The discount rate presented was used to determine expense for the first six months of 2013 and the discount rate established upon the June 30, 2013 curtailment of 3.9% and upon the September 30, 2013 settlement of 3.7% was used to calculate the credit for the third and fourth quarter of 2013, respectively.

(3)

The discount rate presented was used to determine expense for the first ten months of 2014 and the discount rate of 2.5% established upon the October 31, 2014 settlement was used to calculate expense for the last two months of 2014.

(4)

The compensation assumption was no longer applicable for determining net periodic benefit cost of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan upon the June 30, 2013 remeasurement for plan curtailment due to the freeze of the accrual of benefits effective July 1, 2013.

Schedule of the assumed health care cost trend rates for the postretirement health benefit plan

The assumed health care cost trend rates for the Company’s postretirement health benefit plan at December 31 were as follows:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

Pre-65

 

Post-65

 

Pre-65

 

Post-65

 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

 

7.5 

%

5.8 

%

8.0 

%

5.0 

%

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline

 

4.5 

%

4.5 

%

5.0 

%

5.0 

%

Year that the rate reaches the cost trend assumed rate

 

2027 

 

2020 

 

2020 

 

2020 

 

 

Effects of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the postretirement health benefit plan

The health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the obligations reported for health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the Company’s postretirement health benefit plan for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

One Percentage Point

 

 

 

Increase

 

Decrease

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

 

$

204

 

$

(164

)

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

 

$

4,321

 

$

(3,450

)

 

Schedule of estimated future benefit payments for nonunion defined benefit plans

Estimated future benefit payments from the Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension (paid from trust assets), SBP, and postretirement health benefit plans, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

 

 

Nonunion

 

 

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

Defined Benefit

 

Supplemental

 

Health

 

 

 

Pension Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

Benefit Plan

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

2015

 

$

31,108 

 

$

1,941 

 

$

684 

 

2016

 

$

14,813 

 

$

1,235 

 

$

750 

 

2017

 

$

14,341 

 

$

 

$

813 

 

2018

 

$

13,622 

 

$

 

$

916 

 

2019

 

$

13,408 

 

$

3,107 

 

$

963 

 

2020-2024

 

$

55,806 

 

$

 

$

5,509 

 

 

Weighted-average target, acceptable ranges, and actual asset allocations of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan

The weighted-average target, acceptable ranges, and actual asset allocations of the Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension plan at December 31 is summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target

 

Acceptable

 

Weighted-Average Allocation

 

 

 

Allocation

 

Range

 

2014

 

2013

 

Equity Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Cap U.S. Equity

 

15.0 

%

10.0 

%

 

25.0% 

 

18.9 

%

23.8 

%

Mid Cap U.S. Equity

 

10.0 

 

8.0 

%

 

12.0% 

 

12.1 

 

10.7 

 

Small Cap U.S. Equity

 

10.0 

 

8.0 

%

 

12.0% 

 

11.3 

 

10.5 

 

International Equity

 

15.0 

 

11.0 

%

 

19.0% 

 

15.0 

 

12.5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Instruments

 

30.0 

 

20.0 

%

 

35.0% 

 

20.4 

 

17.6 

 

Floating Rate Loan Fund

 

10.0 

 

3.0 

%

 

15.0% 

 

10.2 

 

3.6 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

10.0 

 

0.0 

%

 

15.0% 

 

12.1 

 

21.3 

 

 

 

100.0 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.0 

%

100.0 

%

 

Fair value of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan assets, by major asset category and fair value hierarchy level

The fair value of the Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2014, by major asset category and fair value hierarchy level (see Fair Value Measurements accounting policy in Note B), were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

Significant

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

In Active

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

Markets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents(1)

 

$

19,085 

 

$

19,085 

 

$

 

$

 

Debt Instruments(2)

 

32,361 

 

 

32,361 

 

 

Floating Rate Loans(3)

 

16,106 

 

16,106 

 

 

 

Large Cap U.S. Equity

 

29,964 

 

29,964 

 

 

 

Mid Cap U.S. Equity

 

19,180 

 

19,180 

 

 

 

Small Cap U.S. Equity

 

17,899 

 

17,899 

 

 

 

International Equity

 

23,670 

 

23,670 

 

 

 

 

 

$

158,265 

 

$

125,904 

 

$

32,361 

 

$

 

 

(1)

Consists primarily of money market mutual funds.

(2)

Includes corporate debt instruments (66%), mortgage-backed instruments (24%), treasury instruments (5%), municipal debt instruments (4%), and agency debt instruments (1%) which are priced using daily bid prices. The fair value measurements are provided by a pricing service which uses the market approach with inputs derived from observable market data.

(3)

Consists of a floating rate loan mutual fund.

 

The fair value of the Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2013, by major asset category and fair value hierarchy level (see Fair Value Measurements accounting policy in Note B), were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

Significant

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

In Active

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

Markets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents(1)

 

$

44,166 

 

$

44,166 

 

$

 

$

 

Debt Instruments(2)

 

36,517 

 

 

36,517 

 

 

Floating Rate Loans(3)

 

7,594 

 

7,594 

 

 

 

Large Cap U.S. Equity

 

49,281 

 

49,281 

 

 

 

Mid Cap U.S. Equity

 

22,181 

 

22,181 

 

 

 

Small Cap U.S. Equity

 

21,848 

 

21,848 

 

 

 

International Equity

 

26,026 

 

26,026 

 

 

 

 

 

$

207,613 

 

$

171,096 

 

$

36,517 

 

$

 

 

(1)

Consists primarily of money market mutual funds.

(2)

Includes corporate debt instruments (37%), mortgage-backed instruments (27%), treasury instruments (24%), municipal debt instruments (5%), asset-backed instruments (4%), and agency debt instruments (3%) which are priced using daily bid prices. The fair value measurements are provided by a pricing service which uses the market approach with inputs derived from observable market data.

(3)

Consists of a floating rate loan mutual fund.

Schedule of multiemployer pension funds and key participation information

Significant multiemployer pension funds and key participation information were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Pension

 

FIP/RP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protection Act

 

Status

 

Contributions (d)

 

Surcharge

 

 

 

EIN/Pension

 

Zone Status (b)

 

Pending/

 

(in thousands)

 

Imposed

 

Legal Name of Plan

 

Plan Number (a)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Implemented (c)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

(e)

 

Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan(1)(2)

 

36-6044243

 

Red

 

Red

 

Implemented(3)

 

$

74,001 

 

$

70,020 

 

$

68,683 

 

No

 

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan(2)

 

91-6145047

 

Green

 

Green

 

No(4)

 

23,030 

 

20,601 

 

20,774 

 

No

 

Central Pennsylvania Teamsters Defined Benefit Plan(1)(2)

 

23-6262789

 

Green

 

Green

 

No

 

12,810 

 

12,143 

 

11,170 

 

No

 

I. B. of T. Union Local No. 710 Pension Fund(6)(7)

 

36-2377656

 

Green(5)

 

Green(5)

 

No

 

9,186 

 

10,001 

 

9,567 

 

No

 

All other plans in the aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,150 

 

23,468 

 

21,701 

 

 

 

Total multiemployer pension contributions paid(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

144,177 

 

$

136,233 

 

$

131,895 

 

 

 

 

Table Heading Definitions

 

(a)

The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable.

(b)

Unless otherwise noted, the most recent PPA zone status available in 2014 and 2013 is for the plan’s year-end status at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The zone status is based on information ABF Freight received from the plan and was certified by the plan’s actuary. Green zone funds are those that are in neither endangered or critical status and generally have a funded percentage of at least 80%.

(c)

The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates if a funding improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP), if applicable, is pending or has been implemented.

(d)

Amounts reflect contributions made by ABF Freight in the respective year and differ from amounts expensed during the year.

(e)

The surcharge column indicates if a surcharge was paid by the employer to the plan.

 

(1)

ABF Freight was listed by the plan as providing more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

(2)

Information for this fund was obtained from the annual funding notice, other notices received from the plan, and the Form 5500 filed for the plan years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

(3)

Adopted a rehabilitation plan effective March 25, 2008 as updated. Utilized amortization extension effective December 31, 2003.

(4)

Utilized funding relief elections under the Pension Relief Act to determine the zone status beginning with the January 1, 2011 actuarial valuation.

(5)

PPA zone status relates to plan years February 1, 2013 — January 31, 2014 and February 1, 2012 — January 31, 2013.

(6)

ABF Freight was listed by the plan as providing more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan for the plan years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013.

(7)

Information for this fund was obtained from the annual funding notice, other notices received from the plan, and the Form 5500 filed for the plan years ended January 31, 2014 and January 31, 2013.

(8)

Contribution levels can be impacted by several factors such as changes in business levels and the related time worked by contractual employees, contractual rate increases for pension benefits, and the specific funding structure, which differs among funds. The pension contribution rate for contractual employees increased an average of 2.0%, 2.0%, and 2.3% effective primarily on August 1, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Supplemental Negotiating Committee for the Central States Pension Plan approved no pension contribution increase effective August 1, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The Supplemental Negotiating Committee for the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan approved no pension increase effective August 1, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The year-over-year changes in multiemployer pension plan contributions presented above were also influenced by changes in ABF Freight’s business levels.